Difference between revisions of "Comparing "duiyu" and "zhiyu""

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The differences between 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They both have similar meanings like "concerning," "regarding" or "as for," and differences are subtle.
  
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The differences between 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They both have similar meanings like "concerning," "regarding" or "as for." Learn what they are in this article!
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== 对于 Emphasizes the Object Referred to ==
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== 对于 emphasizes the object referred to ==
 
  
 
对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于.  
 
对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于.  
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
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As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place if before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier.  
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As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place 对于 before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier (coming before a noun).  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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Subj. + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate
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Subj. + 对于 + Object + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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对于 + Modifier， Subj. + Predicate
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对于 + Object， Subj. + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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==== Examples ====
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* <em>对于</em> 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.</span><span class="trans">As for this kind of person, you are not supposed to reason with them.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 电脑 ，我 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">With regards to computers, I don't understand anything.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 电脑，我 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
 
 
* 我 <em>对于</em> 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>duìyú</em> diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
 
* 我 <em>对于</em> 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>duìyú</em> diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
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</div>
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* <em>对于</em> 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.</span><span class="trans">With this kind of person, you shouldn't try to reason with them.</span>
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=== Special conditions ===
 
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Sometimes, 关于 and 对于 don't have any differences at all, however those instances are few. For example:
 
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===== Examples =====
 
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<div class="liju">
 
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* <em>对于</em> 这个问题 ， 我没有意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
 
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* <em>关于</em> 这个问题 ， 我没有意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Guānyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
 
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* <em>对于</em> 这个 话题，我 觉得 没什么 可 讨论 的。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.</span><span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
 
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* <em>关于</em> 这个话题，我觉得没什么可 讨论 的。<span class="pinyin"><em>Guānyú</em> zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.</span><span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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</div>
 
</div>
  
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== 至于 can also emphasize degree ==
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== 至于 Can Also Emphasize Degree ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
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As an adverb, it expresses "having reached a certain degree or step." After it you can link it to words or phrases that describe degree. You can also say 至于 by itself or use 不至于.  
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As an adverb, it expresses "having reached a certain degree." After it you can add words or phrases that describe degree. You can also say 至于 by itself or use 不至于.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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* 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="pinyin">Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, <em>zhìyú</em> zhème shēngqì ma?</span><span class="trans">With such a small thing, why are you so angry?</span>
 
* 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="pinyin">Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, <em>zhìyú</em> zhème shēngqì ma?</span><span class="trans">With such a small thing, why are you so angry?</span>
 
* 我 是 不 高兴，但 <em>不至于</em> 不 跟 你 说话。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì bù gāoxìng, dàn <em>bù zhìyú</em> bù gēn nǐ shuōhuà.</span><span class="trans">I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.</span>
 
* 我 是 不 高兴，但 <em>不至于</em> 不 跟 你 说话。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì bù gāoxìng, dàn <em>bù zhìyú</em> bù gēn nǐ shuōhuà.</span><span class="trans">I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 吗 ？<span class="expl">Questioning someone's overreaction, perhaps</span><span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it that serious?</span>
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</div>
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=== When 对于 and 至于 Are Interchangeable ===
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Sometimes, 关于 and 至于 don't have any differences at all. However, those instances are few.
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<div class="liju">
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* <em>对于</em> 这个 问题 ， 我 没有 意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 这个 问题 ， 我 没有 意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 这个 话题 ，我 觉得 没 什么 可 讨论 的。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.</span><span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 这个 话题 ，我 觉得 没 什么 可 讨论 的。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.</span><span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== Examples of right and wrong sentences ==
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== Common Mistakes ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
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<li class="x">你 <em>关于</em> 这 个 问题 怎么 看？</li>
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<li class="x">你 <em>至于</em> 这 个 问题 怎么 看？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, zěnme kàn?</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>关于</em> 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？<span class="pinyin"><em>Guānyú</em> zhège wèntí, nǐ zěnme kàn?</span><span class="trans">Regarding this issue, what do you think?</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>至于</em> 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, nǐ zěnme kàn?</span><span class="trans">Regarding this issue, what do you think?</span></li>
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<li class="x"><em>关于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？</li>
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<li class="o"><em>至于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?</span></li>
 
<li class="o"><em>对于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?</span><span class="trans">Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?</span></li>
 
<li class="o"><em>对于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?</span><span class="trans">Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>

Revision as of 09:41, 5 December 2020

The differences between 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They both have similar meanings like "concerning," "regarding" or "as for," and differences are subtle.

对于 Emphasizes the Object Referred to

对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于.

Structure

As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place 对于 before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier (coming before a noun).

Subj. + 对于 + Object + Predicate

对于 + Object， Subj. + Predicate

Examples

  • 对于 电脑 ，我 什么 都 不 懂。Duìyú diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.With regards to computers, I don't understand anything.
  • 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。Wǒ duìyú diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.I don't understand anything about computers.
  • 对于 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。Duìyú zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.With this kind of person, you shouldn't try to reason with them.

至于 can change the topic

Structure

As a preposition, it points to another topic, and emphasizes changing the subject of conversation.

至于 + Topic，Subj. + Verb Phrase

Examples

  • 我们 要 开始 这 个 项目 了，至于 什么 时候 开始，还 没 定。Wǒmen yào kāishǐ zhège xiàng mù le, zhìyú shénme shíhòu kāishǐ, hái méi dìng.We're going to start this project, but we still haven't decided when.
  • 至于 这 个 问题，我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。Zhìyú zhège wèntí, wǒmen hái xūyào jìnyībù tǎolùn.For this problem, we need a further discussion.

至于 Can Also Emphasize Degree

Structure

As an adverb, it expresses "having reached a certain degree." After it you can add words or phrases that describe degree. You can also say 至于 by itself or use 不至于.

（不）至于 + Degree

Examples

  • 这 点 小 事情，至于 这么 生气 吗？Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, zhìyú zhème shēngqì ma?With such a small thing, why are you so angry?
  • 我 是 不 高兴，但 不至于 不 跟 你 说话。Wǒ shì bù gāoxìng, dàn bù zhìyú bù gēn nǐ shuōhuà.I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.
  • 至于 吗 ？Questioning someone's overreaction, perhapsZhìyú ma?Is it that serious?

When 对于 and 至于 Are Interchangeable

Sometimes, 关于 and 至于 don't have any differences at all. However, those instances are few.

  • 对于 这个 问题 ， 我 没有 意见 。 Duìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
  • 至于 这个 问题 ， 我 没有 意见 。 Zhìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
  • 对于 这个 话题 ，我 觉得 没 什么 可 讨论 的。Duìyú zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.
  • 至于 这个 话题 ，我 觉得 没 什么 可 讨论 的。Zhìyú zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.

Common Mistakes

  • 你 至于 这 个 问题 怎么 看？Nǐ zhìyú zhège wèntí, zěnme kàn?
  • 至于 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？Zhìyú zhège wèntí, nǐ zěnme kàn?Regarding this issue, what do you think?
  • 至于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？Zhìyú tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?
  • 对于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？Duìyú tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?

Example Dialogue

  • A: 我们 今天 的 会议 内容 是 讨论 一下 关于 开发 中国 市场 的 问题。A: Wǒmen jīntiān de huìyì nèiróng shì tǎolùn yīxià guānyú kāifā Zhōngguó shìchǎng de wèntí.The content of today's meeting is a discussion about the problems in developing China's markets.
  • B: 我 的 意见 是 对于 中国 市场 我们 还 不 了解，最好 是 再 等等。B: Wǒ de yìjiàn shì duìyú Zhōngguó shìchǎng wǒmen hái bù liǎojiě, zuì hǎo shì zài děng děng.My opinion towards the Chinese markets is that we still don't understand. The best thing is to wait some more.
  • A: 对于 是 不 是 开发 中国 市场 我们 已经 决定 了，现在 的 问题 是 什么 时候 开发。A: Duìyú shì bù shì kāifā Zhōngguó shìchǎng wǒmen yǐjīng juédìng le, xiànzài de wèntí shì shénme shíhòu kāifā.We've already decided about developing the markets, the problem now is when to start.
  • B：那么，关于 这 个 议题，我 没有 什么 可 说 的 了。B: Nàme, guānyú zhège yìtí, wǒ méiyǒu shénme kě shuō de le.Then, as for this topic, I have nothing more to say.

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

HSK5



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